A disastrous fourth quarter Wednesday night spelled the end of T.C. William’s postseason aspirations, despite an early lead against Westfield.

T.C. enjoyed a single point advantage against the Bulldogs heading into the second quarter of action and built on their lead to hit the locker-room up six on the regional rival. They had come into the game as Patriot District champions and winners of the annual playoff tournament’s opening round match against Thomas Jefferson.

Undeterred, the Bulldogs – undefeated in conference action and 23-4 overall – once again brought the matchup within a single basket to open the second half. With the game’s final eight minutes winding down, Westfield pressed T.C. struggling defense to gain the lead and secure the win.

The 43-38 loss bounced T.C. from the regional tournament and brings to an end any hopes of a repeat trip to the state tournament. After a rough start to the regular season, the 17-10, 9-5 against conference rivals, Titans had appeared to congeal just in time for a deep postseason run.

About the same time the boys team saw the Bulldogs roar back, the Lady Titans were fighting a doomed battle to come back from an early deficit against Oakton. Also vying for a chance to represent T.C. in the state tournament, the girls squad couldn’t close the gap. The 62-50 defeat marked the end of their season as well.